Testimony

 

Testimony & Words of Thanks

from
Jeanne Cherry
 

Thank God for giving us this precious moment. I want to say "Hello!" to everyone as a token of shaking the hand of each of you. My heart is filled with a mixture of emotions, I'm so happy to see you all. I've been missing you all and longing for worship at ICBC. You all have brought so many gifts into my life, and the fellowship here so feels comfortable like in a big family.

"GOD GAVE ME A CHANCE AT A THIRD LIFE BECAUSE OF YOUR PRAYERS, YOUR CONCERN, YOUR SUPPORT, AND ENCOURAGEMENT. BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD!"

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15)

Miracles Twice in my life
In my early 30's (1999) I found myself stricken with a rare lung disease, only found in women, called Pulmonary Lymphangioleimyomatosis (LAM), the cause of this disease is still being studied by doctors and scientists. I could hardly realize how sick I was, my only symptoms were shortness of breath and I was tired a lot, as far I knew I was very healthy. When the Pulmonologist told me that my only option was transplantation of both lungs, my first reaction was denial, next I thought this surgery would be many years away, then all I could do is cry. I felt so alone and hurt everything was being stripped from me (My job, my health, my home, and all the dreams I had for a future). Thank God for his mercy, and my mother's love they where with me when I got the news and every step afterward.

     Now starts a new journey in my life, instead of work and play my days are filled with hospitals and tests. Meeting new doctors and traveling around the US trying to figure out what will be best for my future. If I even had a future? My mom and I prayed harder than ever. We asked every person we knew and churches everywhere to pray for me. At first I was listed at Barns Jewish hospital in St Louis, MO for transplant in June of 2000. However the program was so large, and I was getting so much sicker(at this point I am on oxygen 24-7), now we began to wonder if I can live two more years before getting new lungs(two years was the standard waiting time). Then out of nowhere in September of 2000 my good friend Nancy Foyt and her friend Dr. Freidman find a new transplant program at Methodist hospital in Houston, TX which was just starting up. God is great. After numerous tests and many disappointments, I was finally accepted into the program in Houston (Nov.,2000).

     December of 2000 was so cold and my breathing has declined tremendously, still on oxygen all the time my activity level was almost nothing. At this point, it is my decision as to when I feel sick enough to relocate. The requirement to be transplanted is a simple one, but very confusing, one must be sick enough and also well enough at the same time? Now is the time to move to Houston, Mom and I packed up and my uncle Bennie drove us 1200 miles from the only home I had ever known in Indianapolis. My mind whirled during the trip the unknown is so frightening. How long would it take to find a donor? I had been told my blood type would be easy to match, but there are so many other factors to figure in when getting transplanted. So many factors I'm not sure I knew them all at the time. The information that had been thrown at me in the last year or so was overwhelming. I knew the only chance I had was to trust in God. I absolutely had no other choice.

     Arriving in Texas, at my friends Nancy and Tony ( who were wonderful to offer there home during my time of need) on December 21, 2000 I could not imagine what was in store for me. They found donor in a week. But we were caught off guard, Nancy and Tony were both out of town when the call came to come into the hospital (no one knew the way to the hospital). Between myself, mom, and Tony and Nancy's eighteen year old daughter Casie we were lost. At five a.m. Casie called her grandmother Lucy, yes she knows how to get to the hospital, so we all made the trip to town. Sometime between December 28th and 29th got my lungs. The first people I remember when I awoke were MOM, NANCY (who flew home just for me) and my cousin Terry. But I can never forget the effort of everyone who helped make my transplant possible especially all the prayers.

     In the days to follow I spent much of my time wondering about my donor and his family. What a wonderful gift to give to someone you have never meet. How hard it must be to make such a decision so shortly after losing a loved one. I was strong and healthy again and on the road to recovery. Everyday was important to my recovering, between the side effects of medication and risk of rejection I had many new responsibilities for my health. Before we started down the road to my surgery my doctors told me many profound thing. After transplant one is only expected to live another five years. The doctors explained how sick I could from all the medicine, and rejection, and that I was trading one disease process for another. But God is working in mysterious ways. He brought me through it all and yes I did have rejection , but praise the Lord my first lung lasted eight years. Not to brag but I have had so many blessings I cannot remember them all. However one blessing I can never forget is my blessing to meet to the Chin people. Through my roommate Lun Kham [daughter of the late Rev.Hau Lian Kham & Rev. Hau Lun Cing], back in 2001. I found solace by worshipping with her and all of the Chin. It feels as if every prayer we pray together is answered. I feel I am getting closer to God every day. Because of your prayers, The first lungs lasted more than five years [ it lasted 8 yrs] though I had the rejection.

     Seven years later [since 2008], my lungs began to weaken. I thought my time maybe coming to an end. I asked countless prayer requests at ICBC. The Women Prayer-Group always pray for me every Saturday. I pray to God, "Lord, you gave me such a wonderful life. If you think my time is enough, it's thy will. But I still want to live." My breathing got worse and worse. Finally, when I and my brother Christopher left for Houston in November 2008 [with a big oxygen tank on the back of our car] I had no idea what was in store for me. Dr. Seethanraju [my transplant doctor ] said I need to stay and get listed for another lung transplant. Again Fear filled my heart, my first transplant was such a miracle, to have two miracles was almost too much to ask for. Making the decision to get the 1st transplant was difficult. But a second transplant would be so hard on my body. God is good in everything he helped with my decision.

     Waiting for my call seemed like forever, I kept dreaming of coming back home. Finally March 14 2009 @ 10am the call came, we have lungs, I had almost given up. After arriving at the hospital everything went so fast for me. But not for Mom she had to wait for hours and before they took me away she was not allowed to hug and kiss me goodbye she was very upset and she was crying.

     As soon as I awoke from surgery the healing had already began. Everyone was saying how wonderful I looked. Who could believe after major surgery you could look good. Again God is good. The doctor asked me "Do you have any question?". I've got new lungs, yes I have a million questions. First I ask, "Was my donor male or female?" His reply was male. Second question how old was my donor? His reply ''16 years". All I can do now is cry, I have no more questions for the doctor. Now I am wondering how a family who had just lost a 16 year old son, a baby, could give such an amazing gift to a complete stranger, ME? [ my first donor was a 26 yr old cable man]. Thinking about this still makes me cry. Again God is good. My health is progressing better than expected.
 

CAN'T JUST SAY IT ENOUGH THANK YOU
God has given me this third chance at life because of your prayers, your concern, your support, and your encouragement. Let my words of thank go to all of you, PASTOR KIO AND WIFE, PASTOR TLUANG AND PASTOR AAPENGPA, ALL THE DEACONS, THE WOMEN PRAYER GROUP, PASTOR Ellery Hunsley OF THIS MOTHER CHURCH [Indianapolis Baptist Temple], AND TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL. I just can't say it enough, thank you so much.

     I still need YOUR PRAYER AND YOUR SUPPORT. Though I came back safe and sound, I am not completely healed yet. It still have small problems that need to be worked out. I will be traveling back to Houston pretty soon for a checkup. I don't know how long my new lungs are gonna last. My whole life is in the hands of God. I still need your prayers and your support for continued recovery and for MY MOM. I would also like to request prayer for all the doctors and nurses, and for the grieving family of the 16-yr old boy, who was so precious to donate his lungs for me. If everyone prays, I know God will answer.

WITH JOY & LOVE to you all 
It encourages me to see more and more people and all the new faces at church (especially all the new babies). It's a lot more fun to worship and singing too. It's God plan somehow. God brought American missionaries to Burma a hundred years ago, but now God brings you all to America as missionaries. Everyone of you may not preach the Gospel, but the way you worship in your wonderful culture, and your phenomenonal service would set a good example for your environment to see. I have the highest admiration for this community the kinship you show each other and the kindness you show me and mom will never be forgotten.

I heard that ICBC is also performing Burmese worship service for those who don't speak Haka tribal language. It's as well expanding in fellowShip and the mission field. Acts 2: 1-7 mentions how different Jews from around the world in Jerusalem, drawn by the sound of the Holy Spirit, came together on Pentecost Day and each of them heard the Apostles' speaking in his own native language. Isn't it amazing? When the Holy Spirit is dwelling among us, language is not barrier from the fellowship in God. May the grace and the mercy of the Lord be with you forever.

With Joy and LOVE to you all,

Your beloved Aunty Jeanne

Aug 16, 2009 (Sunday)